Expression of immunoregulatory genes and its relationship to lead exposure and lead‐mediated oxidative stress in wild ungulates from an abandoned mining area

Abstract

Abstract-Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic metal that can induce oxidative stress and affect the immune system by modifying the expression of immunomodulator-related genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between Pb exposure and the transcriptional profiles of some cytokines, as well as the relationship between Pb exposure and changes in oxidative stress biomarkers observed in the spleen of wild ungulates exposed to mining pollution. Red deer and wild boar from the mining area studied had higher spleen, liver, and bone Pb levels than controls, indicating a chronic exposure to Pb pollution. Such exposure caused a depletion of spleen glutathione levels in both species and disrupted the activity of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting the generation of oxidative stress conditions. Deer from the mining area also showed an induced T-helper (T h )-dependent immune response toward the T h 2 pathway, whereas boar from the mining area showed a cytokine profile suggesting an inclination of the immune response toward the T h 1 pathway. These results indicate that environmental exposure to Pb may alter immune responses in wild ungulates exposed to mining pollution. However, evidence of direct relationships between Pb-mediated oxidative stress and the changes detected in immune responses were not found. Further research is needed to evaluate the immunotoxic potential of Pb pollution, also considering the prevalence of chronic infectious diseases in wildlife in environments affected by mining activities. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:876-883.

Down-regulation of CatSper 1 and CatSper 2 genes by lead and mercury

“…workers exposed to lead and infertile patients have a high serum level of heavy metals as well as a reduction in sperm parameters (Bonde et al, 2002;Benoff et al, 2009 ). In addition, it has been observed that exposure to lead or mercury caused changes in gene expression of key genes involved in spermatogenesis and antioxidant enzymes ( Rodríguez-Estival et al, 2013;Wanga et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2016;Xiaozhong et al, 2010;Martinez et al, 2016) . On the other hand, the study of calcium channels in sperms has led to the discovery of four genes, named CatSper 1-4, and two auxiliary proteins, CaSper ß and CatSper ɣ (Darszon et al, 2006) , which have a code for a unique sperm specific cation channel expressed exclusively in the spermatozoa (Qi et al, 2007).…”

MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF THE TRANSFER OF LEAD FROM PERIPHERAL BLOOD INTO THE ORGANS AND MUSCLE TISSUE OF SHEEP (Ovis aries)

“…В условиях загрязнения сельскохозяйственных угодий соединениями свинца увеличивается вероятность его перехода в продукты питания (мясо, молоко, субпродукты) по трофической цепи почва-растение-животное (1)(2)(3). Свинец обладает высокой кумулятивной способностью и в зависимости от дозы и продолжительности воздействия на млекопитающих проявляет высокую общую токсичность, эмбриотоксичность, канцерогенность и генотоксичность (4)(5)(6). Всемирная организация здравоохранения (ВОЗ, World Health Organization, WHO) установила предельно допустимое поступление свинца в организм человека в количестве 25 мкг•кг 1 массы тела в неделю, или 3,6 мкг•кг 1 массы тела в сутки.…”